S 537 
.1164 
Copy 1 



1 
X 



AN ADDRESS 



ON THE 



CONDITION AID OFFICE 



OF THE 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



OP THE 



STATE OF MICHIGAN, 



Delivered in the Hall of the House of Kepresentatives, Jan. 14, 1861, 



BY 



PROF. L. K. FISK, A. M. 



-< — « 1^ I » — »- 



^^i 



^ LANSING-: 

Hosmer Sc Kerr, JBoolc and. Job I*rin.tors. 
1861. 



Legislature, ) j House Doc. 

1861. [ \ No. 3. 



[ No. 3. ] 

Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens : 

It is the right of every citizen of the State to be made ac- 
quainted with the 'exact condition of all our public institutions. 
Established as the Agricultural College was, in conformity with 
a requirement of the Constitution and the will of the people, it 
is but proper that we should present a statement of its progress, 
the difficulties that have beset it, the work it proposes to accom- 
plish, and- its relations -to the industrial prosperity and educa- 
tional advancement of the land. 

No educational institution of a high grade is built up in a 
day. The growth of colleges is proverbially slow. Even when 
established in conformity with our old and accredited system 
of education, it is universally true that many years are required 
to secure that development which gives permanency and effi- 
ciency. Half a score of years is much less time than is usually 
. eeded to gain a position among the colleges of the land. In- 



3 • House Doc. 

deed, the minority of a college is seldom less than the minority 
of a human being. Even our own University, now so efficient, 
and deservedly held in high esteem, was compelled to struggle 
for a comparatively long period with many serious obstacles 
which blocked up its road to success. 

The Michigan State Agricultural College was opened for the 
reception of students a little more than 3^ years ago. That it 
has found peculiar difficulties with which to contend, is no 
more than should have been anticipated, and which the circum- 
istances rendered wholly unavoidable. I think it is not too 
much to assert that when the Legislature passed the Act of 
Organization, there was no man living that could -lay down the 
details of the system proper to pursue. The field was entirely 
a new one. Michigan was taking the lead in founding an In- 
dustrial College. There was, therefore, no precedents to guide 
us. We could not avail ourselves of the experience of others. 

Wc had to make a system; we had to manufacture an ex- 
perience. Standing then at the beginning of a new enterprise, 
with no aids in the past, with no assistance in the present, and 
the future to make for ourselves, it would have been miracu- 
lous had the way been free from all obstructions. We should 
have reali; ed what was never experienced before, among insti- 
tutions of learning, in civil governments, in the religious world, 
or in the prosecution of any untried enterprise. 

What are the special wants of the farming community to be 
provided for? What shall I e the course of instruction ? How 
broad — how narrow ? How shall study and labor be united, so 
that neither shall detract from the other? As the indoor instruc- 
tion must be given by several Professors, how shall this instruc- 
tion be practically illustrated on the farm which must be under 
the general supervision of one man ? What shall be the system 
of remuneration of labor ? What work shall be jiaid for, and 
what shall be considered as strictly educational, and, therefore, 
demanding no pecuniary compensation? What policy shall bo 
adopted in regard to the experimental farm ? Shall the exper- 
iments be prosecuted entirely by the Farm Superintendent, or 



No. 3. 3 

in part by the Professors, illustrating- and deciding principles in 
their several departments ? If the latter, how shall it all be 
systematized, and put in perfect running order ? Indeed, in- 
volving so much of machinery as an Agricultural College must, 
having so many wants to meet, and objects to accomplish ; and 
being necessarily complicated therefore, how shall all this ma- 
chinery be harmonized, and the several objects secured ? 

Shall we look to Europe for a solution of the scores of prac- 
tical questions that arise? We may derive some aid from 
this source, but our difficulties are not all removed. America 
is not like Europe. The entire genius of our peoole differs from 
thatof the nations of the Old World. The state of society in 
which we live, the tenure of landed property, the social and in- 
dustrial standing of the agricultural class, the wants therefor 
to be provided for ; these all make our position peculiar, and 
prevent the imitation of the system of European schools. It 
would be highly absurd to think of engrafting on our policy 
any institutions of the Old World without radical modifications. 

There is a degree of impatience among the American people, 
for the realization of great results, in regard to any enterprise. 
yfe cannot afford to wait the fashioning hand of time. We ex- 
pect the acorn to become the rugged, massive oak, in a day. The 
natural process of growth is too tardy and old fashioned for 
this wide-awoke, go-a-head nation. 

The impossibility of realizing speedy results from the College 
farm, such as are contemplated in the law, becomes evident 
from its new and unimproved condition. The land must first be 
cleared and subdued before reliable experiments can be per- 
formed. In considering what the Agricultural College will yet 
become, it is wholly unsafe to reason from the past. Had the 
Institution been located on an improved farm, so that an exten- 
sive series of experiments could liave been commenced imme- 
diately, the means of securing many of the objects for which 
the College was founded, would have been much sooner within 
its reach. Much of the expense at first incurred was for the 
purpose of hastening the day when these experiments could be 



•4 House Doc. 

commenced. Labor, therefore, which would be unprofitable in 
general luisbandvy, it became absolutely necessary to apply to 
prepare tlic soil at as early a day as possible for puUing- in 
operation the experimental farm. To illustrate my meaning. 
It is in general a poor investment of means io remove the 
stumps from land from which the timber has been but recently 
cleared. It is better to seed it down until decomposition has 
so far progressed that it can be cultivated with the plow, not 
removing the stumps till from their natural decay it may be 
easily done. During the fust year of the College, the stumps 
were extracted from some 20 acres of ground as a part of the 
process of rapid subjugation, that the idea of an experimental 
farm might be more speedily realized. 

But these diflQcuHies that have obstructed the free course of 
the College have been gradually surmounted, and a point is now 
reached where determinate plans may be formed, N^nd definite 
results safely predicted. 

The Agricultural College must consist of three general de- 
partments — an Experimental Farm, a Model or Practical Farm, 
and the School. 

The establishment of an Experimental Farm was one of the 
leading purposes of the institution. 

That successful agriculture results from strict conformity to 
fixed and immutable laws, is so evidently true that it needs no 
proof. Every plant has its own mode of growth, and invariably 
requires the existence of certain essential conditions. These 
necessary conditions are determined by experiment and close 
observation; by a minute inspection of the phenomena of vege- 
table growth amid the ever varying circumstances of the physi- 
cal world. Agric^ilture is the creature of experiments. Its 
foundatitm was laid in experiments ; its framcAvovk has been 
reared through experiments ; as u temple of art, every timber 
has been fitted in its place by the hand of experiment. 

Why plant corn in the spring of the year, rather than in the 
fall ? Why select a particular time in the spring ? Why plant 
at a certain depth ? Why not plant at the same depth as the 



No. 3. 5" 

potatoe ? Why cultivate in a certain way ? Why harvest it at 
a certain time ? Indeed, why tlie special mode of culture of this 
and every other crop ? Has not the knowledge we possess been 
derived from experiments ? The world has been experimenting' 
for six thousand years. This mighty art, on which rests the 
support of the race, with which is linked the very life of man, is 
wholly the product of experiments. 

There is every reason to believe that this department of the 
Institution may become a source of great profit to the people 
of the State. Unqucstionabl}^ the productiveness of the soil is 
not what it should be, for two reasons : 1st, from ignorance 
among the mass of the pet-ple of the principles already de- 
termined ; and 2d, because many more experiments are yet re- 
quired to l)ring to liglifc truths which have a direct bearing on 
the cultivation of the soil. I know that a great deal is said 
against book-farming. Certainly that which is true is not ren- 
dered false, nor that which is false, true, by publication in a 
book or paper. 

Doubtless there are scores of statements on agricultural sub- 
jects which find their wa}'' to the press that are utterly false, 
and calculated to mislead. It may be stated as a general rule 
that theories are unsafe until tested by experience. The object 
of a Stato Experimental Farm is to officially test these theories, 
to establish those which, are correct, and disprove those which 
are false. A single experiment here performed, and officially 
published to the world, in detail, with all the circumstances and 
conditions fully stated, may save the people of the State thou- 
sands of dollars. Instead of every farmer incurring- the ex- 
pense of prosecuting each separate experiment, and if the re- 
sult be unfavorable, thus indefinitely augmenting the aggre- 
gate cost, a single experiment from such an official source 
may settle the whole question, and effect an immense saving to 
the farming community. On the other hand, cxperiuients which 
bring to light new principles, aud establish improved methods, 
must have a direct effect in rendering more productive the labor 
of the farm. 



5 . House Doc. 

Most of the experiments prosecuted throughout the country 
afford but little reliable information, cither from neglect to note 
all the circumstances, conditions and results, or from inability 
to determine what those conditions are. For illustration : 
Everybody knows that the plant grows and matures in accord- 
ance with certain unchangeable laws. Each plant has nearly 
a fixed composition, and the material which builds up its organ- 
ism must come from the soil and air. A certain amount of heat 
is necessary ; a certain degree of moisture, together with the 
light of the sun. Now, every experiment on every class of 
plants, involves the principles of both Chemistry and Botany :. 
and unless these are understood and regarded, no bne can fully 
appreciate the lesson taught Should the object be — to take a 
special case — to determine the value of a certain fertilizer in 
raising wheat, it is not enough to simply apply it and note the 
results. Should it increase the yield, it will not prove it to be 
generally adapted to the growth of wheat ; nor should it fail tf» 
effect the crop will it prove it to be generally useless for this, 
purpose. It may have failed to improve the crop, not because 
it did not contain the elements the plant needed, but because 
the soil was already richly supplied ; or if it improved the crop 
it might have been one of those exceptional cases which wt>uld 
not occur again in a hundred times. It is necessary, then, to 
know not only the chemical composition of the fertilizer used, 
but also the composition of the soil, and the chemical wants of 
the plant raised. 

But this is not the time to dwell on this subject at great 
length. I will only repeat, that it is often rncZ^x^/JsaW^ to deter- 
mine the composition of the soil experimented on; the composi- 
tion of the fertilizer applied ; the composition of the plant rais- 
ed, as to its earthy constituents, its fattening qualities, its nu- 
tritive value, with all the phenomena attending its growth and, 
ripening, in connection with the amount of yield, at the same 
time that tlie facts of moisture, heat, climate &c., are all dis- 
tinctly observed and noted ; while a careful study of the whole 
subject shall give to each element in this problem of growth it* 



No. 3. T 

due weight. The want of such means of investigation as maj 
be collected at a College in Chemistry, Botany and Zoology, 
renders it absolutely impossible for the farmer to conduct many 
dxpcriment ? with that precision and completeness required for 
arriving at definite results. 

The greater part of our published experiments are European, 
They are to us suggestive, and often exceedingly valuable ; and 
so far as they conform, to the conditions on this side of the 
waters, and proceed on general principles simply, they are quite 
indispensable. But who does not know that the mode of cul- 
ture in Europe is not adapted to America ? that should it be 
introduced here it would be an utter failure ? With such a vast 
difference in climate, with a soil unlike theirs, with every special 
condition modified to an important degree, our agriculture must 
essentially differ from that of the Old World. And even Mich- 
igan, situated as she is within the lakes, has many climatic 
characteristics peculiar to herself. The farming of New Eng- 
land is not the farming for us. We have special problems in 
agriculture here to solve ; problems that cannot be solved in 
New York, Pennsylvania, or Illinois. We are compelled to 
prose^cute our own experiments, and make our own determina- 
tions. We cannot rely on the rest of the world to do this 
work for us. 

He who would circumscribe the College simply to the office 
of imparting instruction to the young men who should resort 
thither for studj'^ and improvement, has a very inadequate view 
of the work it proposes to accomplish. It should occupy a 
broader field than this. It should reach every farm in the State. 
It should send forth its enlightening influence throughout the 
whole land. Every farmer should feel that he has special inter- 
ests here ; that the College is a co-laborer with him in the noblest " 
pursuit of man. Dignified to the office of toiling in the great 
work of feeding the race, it has a noble purpose to guide it. It 
must, therefore, aim to be in its own department of labor, a 
fountain of original knowledge. Investigations should be earn- 
estly and continuously prosecuted here, and every effort made, 



8 House Doc. 

as rapidly as the condition of the farm will allow, to make this 
one of the most useful and attractive features of the Institution. 

Another department of the College is the model or practical 
farm. On this no experiments are to be performed. Jt is to be 
conducted according to the most approved system of husbandry, 
so far us already determined. It has various uses: 

1st. It is cultivated for the income, the same as any private 
farm. 

?d. It furnishes the students the opportunity of laboring, 
so essential for their health, and so convenient for providing 
means to prosecute their studies. 

3d. It affords them the facilities of illustrating practically 
on the farm the instructions of the lecture room. 

4th. It should be a model in neatness, order, system, and 
economy, both to the students and to the people of the State. 

All its accounts being kept separate, as its design wholly 
differs from that of the experimental farm, the skill with which 
it is managed will be measured by the profits arising from the 
same. 

The third department is the school. 

That so long a period should have elapsed before any ade- 
quate provision was made for systematic instruction in the 
science of farming, is truly remarkable. A large proportion of 
the Agricultural schools of Europe have been founded within 
the last twenty- five or thirtj'^ years, and America is just be- 
ginning to awaken to the real importance of this subject. 

The prejudice against the term science, as applied to agri- 
culture, is fast wearing away. Men begin to understand that 
the whole vegetable kingdom is within the scope of nature's 
laws ; that the plant is subject to forces essential to its life ; 
that when proper conditions ar-^ supplied it will thrive and per- 
fect ; but that when some of these conditions are wanting, its 
growth becomes an impossibility. The object of scientific in- 
vestigations is to determine what these conditions are, and the 
simplest means of maintaining tlieiii. Our most successful 
farmers are practically the moat scientific. They are successful 



No. 3. 9 

because they conform to the laws of nature, and science is but 
an expression of these laws. It is impossible that a farmer who 
violates the principles of science, wh^thei known or unknown, 
should succeed. Correct art is always founded on science. It 
is unreasonable to confound the dicta of agricultural writers 
with the science of agriculture. These dicta may be mere, as- 
sumptions, or theories unfounded in facts and 'ncapable of proof. 
But it is strange that any prejudice should exist against the 
advantage of studying and tracing out those laws of nature 
which operate in the conversion of the constituents of the soil 
and air into the plant, or by virtue of which all those changes 
take place which are required in successful agriculture. It 
seems to me that if there be a subject in the wide range of the 
arts demanding study and thought, this is one. There is', indeed, 
UO branch of business which grasps so much of scientific truth, 
which rests on so broad a foundation, which is so justly entitled 
to the rank of a learned profession. L>)ok where you will, and 
you can find nn pursuit of man that presents so rich a field for 
research, so exhaustless a mine of truth, so abundant a harvest 
^ of thought. The forces of the material world seem to have all 
centered here. The kingdoms of nature all do 'ts bidding. No 
agriculturist can explain the philosophy of his labor without 
diving deeply into Chemistry, into Botany, into Zoology, into 
Geology, into Mineralogy, into Meteorology, into Mathematics, 
into Philosophy. The study of these sciences with reference to 
their application to agriculture is eminently practical. Let us 
look at a few of the problems A\'ith which it deals] 

What are the essential constituents of a fertile soil ? What 
is the cause of the unproductiveness of the soil ? Is it from 
the absence of one or more of its elements ; or is it from an 
excess of some of its constiuents, or from their state of chemical 
combination, or from some defect in its physical condition, or 
from two or more of these causes combined ? What manures 
supply the waste of the soil effected hj the raising of wheat, 
oats, corn, barley, potatoes, hay, or other crops ? What ele- 

2 



10 / House Doc. 

ments, and in what proportion, are removed from the soil by 
the different species of plants? IIow do the constituents re- 
moved from the soil by the several varieties of wheat differ, or 
the several varieties of corn, oats, potatoes, &c ? What is the 
proportion. of fattening material in each of the several grains, 
the amount of nutritive matter, the percentage of starch, and the 
degree of fibrous and waste material ? AVhat influence have 
the different modes of culture on the proportions of these con- 
stituents ? To what extent is starch or sugar fattening ? Are 
the fibrous portions of the plant in any degree nutritious. 

What is the difference in composition of vegetable and an- 
imal manures ? and of the solid and liquid portions of tlie lat- 
ter ? and to what crops may each be most economically applied ? 
IIow may these manures be most perfectly preserved ? Wben 
should quicklime be applied as a manure, when the carbonate 
of lime, when the sulphate of lime, when the phosphate of lime ? 
How may we determine the value of the various special ma- 
nures ? By what system of husbandry may we preserve most 
iuUy the fertility of the soil ? 

But the questions which can be answered only by the joint 
labor of science, and practice, arc almost without number. 
They reach forth into every domain of the physical world. 
Turn over any page of nature, and we find them there. Pursue 
any line of research in creation about us, and we discover that 
some of its avenues lead directly to the farm. Indeed, this pur- 
suit has made every department of nature tributary. 

That a destructive system of husbandry has been pursued in 
this country, is no less remarkable than true. The soil has 
been gradually and perceptibly diminishing in productiveness 
The foundations of our national prosperity as an agricultural 
people have been sensibly giving way. The only compensation 
has been an enlargement of this foundation so as to cover new 
lands, in order to supply the waste of the old. This yearly con- 
sumption of capital, leaving the several districts poorer in the 
wealth of the soil, is a subject that may well demand the atten- 
tion of the })olitical economist. This country is strictly agricul- 



No. 3 11 

tural. This must always be true of the principal part of the West. 
Should this process of soil-impoverishment continue, thejimitof 
our population must be a very narrow one. It is well worth 
our serious consideration whether we arc not inflicting an irre- 
1" arable injury on the future of this country by this wasteful 
and destructive policy of farming. The coming- greatness of 
the whole North-west is centered in her agriculture. If we seek 
to augment the wealth of the land, we must do it through her 
agriculture. If we wish to build up our works of internal im- 
provement, and establish on a firm foundation the facilities for 
substantial material prosperity, it must be effected through our 
agriculture. If we look to the accumulation of means for the 
great work of educating the mass of tlic people, or prosecuting' 
any benevolent enter^jrise, we must depend on our agriculture. 
If we desire to augment the power of. the West in a political 
point of view, creating capital that shall invite population, lay- 
ing a solid basis for the support of a mighty people, the road is 
open to us principally in the direction of agriculture. 

In referring to the gradual deterioration of soil, the lato 
James F. W. Johnston, the English agricultural chemist, says : 
" General illustrations of this sure though slow decay, may be 
met with in the agricultural history of almost every country. 
In none, perhaps, are they more striking than in the older slave 
States of Nortli America. Maryland, Vii'giuia and North Caro- 
lina — once rich and fertile — by a long continued system of 
forced and exhausting culture, have become unproductive in 
many places, and vast tracts have been abandoned to appar- 
ently hopeless sterility. Such lands it is possible to reclaim, 
but at Avhat an expense of time, labor, manure, and skillful man- 
agement ! It is to be hoped that the newer States will not thus 
sacrifice their future power and prospects to present and tem- 
porary wealth — that the fine lands ***** which now 
yield Indian corn and wheat, crop after crop, without intermis- 
sion and without manure, will not be so cropped till their 
strength and substance is gone ; but that a better conducted 
and more skilful husbandry will continue, vnthout diminishing 



12f House Doc. 

the present crop, to secure a permanent fertility to that naturally 
rich and productive country." 

Our country in all the sources of prosperity and greatness, 
will be blighted by the impoverishment of our soils. Destroy 
the fertility of our lands, and you drive population as well as 
capital from us. Make our farms rich, increase" the intrinsic 
value of the soil, and Michigan will not only retain her inhabi- 
tants, but wiU be a ccnlie of immigration ; she will be a spot 
sought by the wealtli-loving citizens of other States. 

"By a calculation that appeared several years ago in a Re- 
port of the United States Patent Office, it was estimated that 
one Ihoiifiand millions of dollars would not vnoro than restore to 
their original richness and strength the one hundred million 
acres of land in the United States which liad already been par- 
tially exhausted of their fertility." That sum at this day is 
probably far below the true amount. The loss in tl)e products 
of the soil cver}'^ year from its impaired fertility, is doubtless 
vastly more than the whole expense of tlio General Government. 
Indeed, T am convinced that should the so'ls of the United 
States be restored to their original richnesS; the increased 
profits of our husbandry would more than equal all the expenses 
of our Government — National, State and local. 

Now every inteUigcnt agriculturist knows that hy a judi- 
cious system of farming, which woidd have been temporarily 
and permanently profitable, all of this destruction of farming 
capital ccmld have been saved. Now why has it not been 
saved? dertainly this waste has not been premeditated. It 
musi liave been from an ignorance of those foundation princi- 
. pies hi Agriculture by which men acquire wealth more rapiilly 
by gradually enriching the soil, than l)y gradually iiiipoverish- 
ing it. May not the farmer derive profit irom an acipiaintance 
with those laws of nature wliich he must call to his aid in de- 
veloping the products of the soil, and on which he is wholly 
dopcndcnt foi his success ? 

But we believe tlie day is dawning on this night of darkness. 



No. 3. 13 

The following admirable sentiments are quoted from Dr. Lee's 
Report to the Secretary of the Interior : 

" Many who have labored for the improvement ot Agriculture 
and the elevation of the Agriculturists, for a quarter of a cen- 
tury, with little hope of reward, now realize the beginning of 
an auspi{',i(jus change in public sentiment. Thanks to agricul- 
tural societies and jrurnals, the people will soon discover that 
labor and capital devoted to tillage and husbandry, are as 
worthy of legislative consideration and aid, as when applied to 
mining, commerce and manufactures. 

It is indeed wonderful ho\v long those enlightened farmers, 
who, like Washington, cherish a due respect for their high call- 
ing, have had to beg and beg in vain, of State Legislatures and 
Congress, for a little assistance to prevent the universal impov- 
erishment of Ameiican soils. Neither the earnest recommenda- 
tion of the illustrious farmer of Mi)unt Vernon, nor tlic prayei'S 
of two generations of agriculturists, nor the painful fact that 
nearly all the tilled lands were becoming less and less product- 
ive, could indnoe any Legislature to foster the study of Agricul- 
ture as a science. Happily this term when used in'^connection 
with rural afiiairs, is no longer the subject of ridicule. 

A great principle is involved in the science or Agriculture, 
which reaches through indefinite generations, and forms the 
basis of all pcssible improvements, and o'" the highest hopes of 
our race. As a nation of farmers, i^it not time that we inquire 
■what means, and on what terms the fruitfulness of the earth, 
and its invaluable products moy be forever maintained, if not 
forever improved? ^ 

These are questions of universal concernment, to the careful 
and rigid investigation of which, no man should refuse to lend 
a listening ear. A governmental policy which results in im- 
poverishing the natural fei'tility of the land, must have an end. 
It is only a qaestion of time, when tliis truly spendthrift course, 
this abuse of the goodness of Providence, shall meet with its 
inevitable punishment. 

A lack of mental culture and discipline is the most serioua 



14 House Doc. 

impediment to the diffusion of agricultural science among the 
farmers. Its language to them is an unknown tongue. Hence 
the sublime truths in the economy of nature are shut out from 
the popular understanding. It is feared this will ever be the 
case until schools designed to teach these branches of learning, 
which the farmer greatly needs but does not possess, are estab- 
lished and mantained throughout the United States." 

There is deep wisdom in the remark of Dr. Lee, that " a great 
principle is involved in the science of Agriculture which reaches 
through indefinite generations, and forms the basis of all possi- 
ble improvements, and of the highest hopes of our race." The 
wealth of the world must ever keep pace exactly with the value 
of the products of the soil. Diminish the fruits of the soil, and 
you must curtail other branches of business. Increase the 
fruits of agricultural labor, and other departments of business 
will admit of like expansion. The wealth of the world, the ex- 
tent of its population, the means of civilization and human en- 
lightenment, and all its forms of material power, rest on Agri- 
culture as a basis, and you can never shift them from this foun- 
dation. Should not therefore the promotion of this pursuit be a 
leading purpose of the race? Should it not receive the first and 
chief attention ? As from- it all other trades derive their life 
and support, is it not the height of folly, and even suicidi to 
ignore its claims ? 

Although in the history of nations Agriculture has generally 
been the last pursuit to receive legislative aid, either directly 
or indirectly, yet it has generally been the fault of farmers 
themselves. An earnest and united appeal to our law-makers 
from this powerful class could, not certainly be disregarded. 
Indeed, our law makers depend on tli« votes of farmers for the 
positicjn they hold. The trouble has been that the need of any 
special preparation for the duties of their calling has too seldom 
been distinctly realized. 

The wind that blows, the rain that falls, the sunlight from 
heaven, the liglitning flash, tlie mountain that rears its top to 
the skies, the valley that divides the highlands, the broad ex- 



No. 3. 15 

panse of ocean, the immense sweep of the prairies, the position 
of lakes, the relations of marshes, the contiguity of forests, 
every condition, indeed, of the physical world, modifies its agri- 
culture. The Deity has placed the farmer amid the most splen- 
did collocation of forces. They sport about him, above him, and 
beneath him. Grand, like the surgings of the atmospheric 
ocean ; terrific, like the vivid flash of lightning, or silent as the 
sumbeam painting the face of nature with its gorgeous color" 
ings ; this grand array of forces combine their influence to 
make the vegetable kingdom wliat we find it. Whether he re- 
alizes the fact or not, the tiller of the soil is dealing^ with the 
most delicately adjusted forces ; and the success of his labors 
depends on the harmony with Avhich he works these forces. Is 
there no advantage to the mariner in understanding the eea on 
which he sails ; the traveler, the country through which he 
travels ; the warrior, the plans of the enemy ? Has the painter 
no need of vision ; the musician no need of hearing ? And has 
the farmer nothing to gain from comprehending these laws of 
nature, which he must daily handle, and whose behests he must 
obey ? 

Medical and law schools have been established and sustained 
simply because they were demanded by this class of our citi- 
zens. Young men entering these professions have felt the. need 
of some special preparation that cannot so well be secured in 
any other way. And it cannot be doubted that if, with the 
same unanimity, agricultural colleges had been demanded by 
the farming community, they would before this have been in 
successful operation in every State of the Union. So far as 
numbers are concerned, and poAver, too, if their influence were 
concentrated and brought to bear, the government is in their 
hands. They own the capital and the^'' cast the votes ; and 
they have only clearly to discern the advantages within their 
reach, to be induced to stretch forth their hands and la}' hold 
upon the gain they may secure. 

Happily the lethargy which has rested on this class of our 
citizens is fast being dispelled. The sound has gone (ovih, and 



16 House Doc. 

the notes of preparation are being heard all through these States. 
An incroafcied interest is daily being felt in the subject of agri- 
cultural education. The farmers begin to realize that they 
have rights which all men are bound to respect, and if asserted, 
they will be respected, for both interest and inclination" will 
combine to effect this result. 

Permit me, partly as a recapitulation, to present connectedly 
and briefly some of the benefits which arc expected to flow 
froni an Agricultural College. 

1st. It will be a source of original knowledge. The experi- 
ments instituted cannot fail in time to advance the science of 
Agriculture, both bj revealing more successful methods of 
farming, and warning against those processes that tire unprofit- 
able. Much light should originate from this source. With the 
cordial co-operation of intelligent farmers throughout the State, 
suggesting experiments and tests which would solve questions 
practically important : feeling chat the Institution was founded 
to aid them, and that they are doing here bj^ proxy that which 
it is often impossible for private farmers to furnish facilities to 
accomplish by themselves ; and being governed by enlightened 
views, we can unitedly make this Institution a guiding star to 
tlie farmers of the State Farmers of Michigan, the College is 
yourn, and it is in your power t<* make it eminently useful. 

2d. "By the labors of the farm the instructions of the lecture 
room may be illustrated and impressed on the mind. In gain- 
ing a knowledge of the scientific principles involved in Agri- 
culture, practice should never be separated from theoretical 
instruction. Yoang men should nol only learn the principles, 
but they sh(;uld bo taught to apply them, and thereby they 
learn them more perfectly and in a wider sense. » 

3d. The Institution furnishes extensive means of instruction 
in the scientific priciples of farming. The truths established 
by experiments prosecuted in difl'erent parts of the world arc 
■presented; the student is made acquainted with those facts 
and laws of the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms which 
throw any light on the ])hilosophy of Agriculture. Special 



No. 3. 17 

facilities, such as Laboratory, Museum, Cabinet, Herbarium, 
Botanical Garden, are provided for imparting' instruction such 
as no farmers can derive from a private source. 

4tb. Agriculture becomes ennobled by its association with 
study. Being the leading element in a college course in a 
State Institution, it is invested v/ith an importance, education- 
ally which is not usually awarded to it. 

5th. Manual labor is made honorable, and all become im* 
pressed with the idea that it is honorable. There is a feeling 
too prevalent among the young that it fs dishonorable to labor. 
Here is a positive requirement. It is indeed an essential 
element in the success of the Institution, and all are taught to 
look upon it as a part of a great plan to accomplish an impor- 
tant work. 

6th. It will exert a strong hifluencc in retaining educated 
young men in industrial pursuits. In almost every case young 
men in college acquire a disinclination to labor, as well as a 
physical incapacity for labor. They are shut out from the labor- 
ing world ; they do not mingle with it ; they luse their sympa- 
thy for it : they are accustomed to regard themselves as occu- 
pjdng a peculiarly favored place'^mong ■ the laboring class. 
Hence they crowd what are called the learned professions as 
presenting attractions peculiarly suited to their tastes. College 
training generally draws an impassable line between educated 
talent and the industrial world. If the object be to educate all 
classes, this certainly is u serious evil. Says one of the Profes- 
sors in (mr own State University in a communication some time 
since given to the public, " In the University designed for the 
training of professional men, the destined agriculturist will not 
only fail to obtain that kind of liberal training, and scientific 
knowledge which are adapted to his life, but there will be noth- 
ing congenial in the atmosphere of such an institution to the 
moral and social nature of the farmer whose habits of life re- 
move him from those who resort to Universities," 

The truth of this statement is plain to all. The spirit of such 



l^ HousK Doc. 

institutions is necessarily adverse to the habits of the working 
classes. T; kc four or five years of that part of a young man's 
life in wliich he is cultivating the mind, a-quiring habits of 
thought, assuming mentally a fixed characlcr ; in which he is 
making preparation for his future career, and shut him out from 
the business world ; keep him from mingling with it, give him 
an entirely different atmosphere ; make him breathe it, and get 
accustomed to it, and love it, so that his habits of thought and 
his spirit shall be wholly disconnected from industrial pursuits, 
and will you not cflectually produce a total alienation of his life 
from those scenes requiring labor ? How can it be expected that 
a man will become intetested in labor when you educate him to 
neglect and wholly ignore it? And just so long as ouv colleges 
pursue their present system, will there be an inevitable tenden- 
cy to form two classes in society, the uneducated laboring class, 
and the educated non-laboring class. Now I look upon the sys- 
tem of Agricultural Colleges, imparting a knowledge of Agri- 
culture, and embodying labor as an essential element, as de- 
signed to work the grandest results in favor of industrial pur- 
suits, by retaining the sons of the farmer on the farm, and 
thrusting edticated talent into those branches of business de- 
manding labor. Should these be the only beneficial effects 
growing out of these institutions, they would amply repaj"^ the 
cost. They would ultimately increase the farming capital far 
more than the expense incurred in their support 

Itli. Agricultural Colleges afford plijsical as well as mental 
education. There can be no question but that close study with- 
out labor or vigorous exercise, shuitens life. The organization 
of our Institutions of learning, should be such as not to endan- 
ger health. Tin's m certainly «f the utmost impbrtauee. Expe- 
rience, as well as theory in this Institution, sustains the fact 
that a certain amount of labor contributes to the health of the 
student, while at the same time it does ii"' i" fi" '.east arrest 
mental progress, but rather promotes it. 

8th, The Agricultural College .will exert a direct intluence on 
the education of the young. The departments of science which 



No. 3 19 

must here receive especial attention, arc precisely those which 
arc now monopoHzing the thoughts of the most learned men of 
the ag-e. There is everywhere, indeed, in this particular line of 
^tudy, intense activity. ^Scientific associations are formed, sci- 
entific journals published, and the liveliest interest is mani 
fested in bringing to light those mighty truths of nature which 
have too long been concealed from our view. Men are giving 
their lives without hope of pecuniary reward to the prosecution 
of these scientific researches. And it is a significant fact that 
these several branches of science, which necessai'ily form the 
principal part of the course of study in an agricultural college, 
and which must receive a much larger share of attention than 
can be devoted to them in otlaer institutions, arc the very studies 
which are now profoundly taxing the intellect of the scientific 
world. In this way an agricultural college naturally and 
necessarilj' falls into the spirit of the age, and moves in the same 
channel of truth. Thus while science, in its rapid development, 
cannot fail to lend important aid to agriculture, agricultural 
colleges must reciprocate the favor by entering into the work 
of scientific researches. 

9th. There are moneyed arguments in favor of such an insti- 
tution. I have before said that the more scientific the farming, 
the more successful it is ; and that it is successful because of its 
conformity to nature's laws. By giving instruction in genuine 
scientific agriculture, not the intangible, chimerical theories of 
the speculatist, but theories dignified into substantial, well- 
established science, much good must be accomplished in a pe- 
cuniary point of view. Is it possible that a man should not be 
benefitted by an intimate acquaintance with the material on • 
which he bestows his labor? The light that would emanate from 
this source, being felt all through our State, in its aggregate 
influence, would add mwch to the productiveness of our farm- 
ing capital. Again, by elevating the character of the people of 
the Stale, raising the reputation of this commonwealth abroad, 
it will aid in inviting among us men of intelligence and capital, 
thus adding to our sources of income far more than the cost of 



20 House Doc. 

the support of the college. Capital will always centre whero 
there exist the most intelligent means for its use. 

lOth. But all who enter such an Institution ma}' not go forth 
from the College to labor on the farm, but maiiy of them will 
engage in other pursuits in life. This may be true, as it is with 
all our professional schools. But let. A vastly larger propor- 
tion will devote themselves to Agriculture, than though they 
pursued their studies in other Institutions ; and 2d. Every class 
of men of whatever calling, would be benefited by a knowledge 
of Agriculture as a science and art. This is the great and lead- 
ing interest of the land. All men in this country nmst in one 
way or another, come in contact with this Agricultural element 
This foundation art, tlien, in the business world, whoso facts 
arc woven through every department of life, and :\v)iich meet ua 
in almost every transaction, should bo studied to some extent 
by all. Aside from the beneficial effects of this system of study 
on healtli, and its favoral)lc influence on habits of industry, the 
young wouhl acquire a knowledge of the principles and practice 
of this, the most wide-spread and pei'vading branch of business 
of the whole country, and Avliich is iutiinatcly connected v.n"th 
our prosperity as a nation. I can see ;x special advantage ac- 
cruing to persons in almost every pursuit, from a siimewhat 
minute acquaintance with this subject ; an advantage not de- 
rived from any other art. But when in later years men retire 
from the more stjirring scenes of business or public life to the 
quiet of tlie farm, as they almost universally seek to do, they 
find a more direct and practical use for the knowledge they 
acquired in earlier days. It is well known that the most un- 
profitable, and often ruinous expenditure,'^ of mean^', arc seen 
among that class of men who, without any previous experience, 
xindertako the management of farms at a somewliat advanced 
age. They discover when it is too late, that Agriculture is not 
80 simple an art as they had supposed, and that previous study 
and practice are absolutely necessary to success. 

At this period in the history of the Agricultural College, and 
•while the subject of similar Institutions is engrossing so largo 



No. 3. 21 

a share of the attention of the American people, it may be well 
for lis to stop and consider whether the system which was recom- 
mended by the State Agricultural Society, and adopted by the Le- 
gislature at its session in 1855, and which has, therefore, become 
the policy of the State, was wiselj^ planned, or whether a radical 
mistake was committed in the organization of the College. 
This is certainly a pertinent inquiry at this particular time, 
when the public sentiment of the several States which arc now 
establishing industrial Colleges is with great unanimity drifting 
toward the creation of separate and independent Institutions. 
If this sentynent be wrong, we should seek to correct it ; if 
right, the reasons for it will appear upon due reflection. Michi- 
gan is the accredited leader, not only as regards the priority of 
time of founding an Agricultural College, but also the form of 
organization ; and the responsibility of tlic position we occupy 
is thus correspondingly increased. It is not simply the success 
of our owri Institution that is involved ; but of a great enter- 
prise on which several States of the Union have already em- 
barked. 

The principal reason, and indeca the only one that can be 
given for attaching Agricultural Colleges to other institutions, 
that appears to have much force, is that of economy. But is 
not this vague notion of economy to a great extent dispelled 
by a close analysis of the subject? Those who have imagined 
that a Cliair of Agriculture, simply in our ordinary Colleges, is 
all that is renuired, have formed very inadequate views of the 
wants to be provided for. 

In tlie first place, tJierc is scarcely a professorship that is 
essential in a separate Agricultural College but that would 
have to be organized in addition to the regular force if it were 
but a departm.ent. 1 need scarcely remind y^u that the 
branches which constitute the principal part of the course of 
study in an Agricultural School arc precisely those to which 
ordinarily the least attention is given in College. For illustra- 
tion. Usually but i'ew lectures are given in Zoology. In an 
Agricultural College, the importance of the subject requires 



22 UousK Docj, 

that /joolog-y and Animal Physiology should employ the v/holt 
time of Olio man. Ordinarily, also, but a few weeks are devoted 
to the study of Botany and Vegetable Physiology. In an Agri- 
cultural College the extent of scientific and professional in. 
struction demanded in this department, renders a separate 
Chair of Botany and Vegetable Physiology indispensable. In 
Colleges of "Arts, Sciences, and Literature," the Chemical 
Department generally embraces simply Elementary Chemistry. 
In an Agricultural College, the applications of Cliemistry to 
Agriculture must constitute the principal part of a professor- 
ship. Geology and Mineralogy usually receive but little atten 
tion in College; and Meteorology none at all. The intimate re- 
lations of these sciences to Agriculture afford scope and labor 
enough to employ the whole time of one man. In Mathematics 
the subject of Rural Engineering is supplementary to the in- 
struction given, and necessarily inci'eases the expense. It 
was well said by Gov. Blair in his inaugural message, that the 
Agricultural College " should teach far more thoroughly and 
extensirely the sciences that relate to Agriculture than any 
ordinary College." In addinon to all of this, aside from the 
Mechanic Arts, the general subject of practical Agriculture 
opens up a wide field of instruction which must also be provided 
for. 

Thus, if the object be to teach scientific agriculture, an ex- 
tensive acquaintance must be secured with those sciences 
which explain the philosophy of Agriculture. A Chair of Ag- 
riculture, then, without the means of acquiring a thorough 
knowledge of those sciences which lie at the foundation of this 
art, every one will readily see, could not accomplish the object 
sought. Therefore, to cover the additional instruction de- 
manded in <jur Colleges and Uuivcrsities, should an agricultural 
department be attached, the Faculty must be increased by a.^ 
least four or five Professors. An entirely new course of study 
must be established, differing almost as iiuicli from the general 
courae as that of law or medicine does tVom the arts and sci- 
ences. 



No. 3. 23 

Passing from the cost of instruction to the facilities re- 
quired, and what do we find? Whether the Agricultural Col- 
lege be a separate institution or simply a department, in both 
cases there must be a practical farm to illustrate the instruc- 
tions of the lecture room. In both cases must there be an ex- 
perimental farm to improve the scieoce of agriculture. In both 
cases must all the stock and implements for working the same 
be provided. In both cases must there be a Botanical Garden, 
and seed room. In both cases must there be a Kitchen Garden 
for instruction in this department of husbandry. In both cases 
must there be a Veterinary Hospital. In both cases must 
there be collections in Botany and Zoology, witli special refer- 
ence to the application of these sciences to practical agricul- 
ture. In both cases should there be an Agricultural Library, 
differing esssentially from the libraries usually attached to col- 
leges. Indeed, Agriculture being a specialty, its facilities and 
and appliances must also be specialties. 

But the foregoing are negative reasons. Doubtless the agri- 
culturists of Michigan who originated the College, and insisted 
that it be made a separate institution, were governed by what 
they considered good and sufficient reasons. 

They unqiiestionably discovered the fact that from the nature 
of the case success could be obtained only by making Agricul- 
ture the central and leading idea of the institution ; that to 
make it subordinate would inevitably crush out its life ; that 
like the water of the outer circles of the maelstrom, it would 
be drawn to the engulfing centre and be swallowed up and lost 
forever. Agriculture must be the grand nucleus around which 
all the parts revolve. It must be that in which the whole orga- 
nization centres It must be the heart of the Institution, the 
very sun of the system with its light and heat, rather than the 
dependent satellite. 

Agriculture has far less attractions for the young than the 
professions. It is very seldom that the farm is chosen in pref- 
erence to what are called the learned professions, if all are 
equally accessible. There is a degree of eclat attaching to the 



24 House Doc. 

latter. There is more that is captivating- in the name; and they 
offer higher assurances of speedy success, and seenia to point 
out an easier road to distinction. It is well known with what 
eager steps our young men who have been favored with aca- 
demic and collegiate instruction, press towards these profes- 
sions. The cliarm may be a delusive one, but yet it has its hold 
upon the mind. The result is, and experience confirms the the- 
ory, that where these elemente exist together in the same in- 
stitution, the agricultural is absorbed and swallowed up by the 
others. 

Every one admits that manual labor is essential in an agri- 
cultural college. It is necessary to illustrate the principles 
taught ; it is necessary in the prosecution of experiments ; it is 
necessary to prevent that distaste for labor which gradually 
grows out of its neglect. Now who does not clearly see that 
you cannot blend the laboring and non-laboring elements in the 
same institution. That false pride which afflicts the young 
even more than the old, will make the non-laboring the popular, 
aristocratic portion, and the others will be looked upon as the 
"mudsills" of the college. Although sensible men in mature 
years know that labor is not degrading, but dignified and hon- 
orable ; yet there is a species of inflation that fills the head of 
Young America when he enters college, that according to his 
own estimate lifts him above industrial pursuits. I need not 
argue the question ; you all know that a cast would be thus 
produced, that must be fatal to the weaker and less influential 
elements in the organization. In a separate agricultural col- 
lege, where labor is required of all, Avithout distinction, thero 
are no degrading notions attaching to it. A student that is in- 
dolent or inefficient in the field, ranks but little higher than does 
a blockhead in the recitation room. 

Some ten years ago the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ap- 
pointed Oommissioners to consider the subject of establishing 
an Agricultural College, and in prosecuting the duties asigned. 
Professor Hitchcock, one of the Commissioners, visited the prin- 



No. 3. 25 

cipal agricultural schools of Europe. la their report we find 
the following" remarks : 

"European agricultural schools have taug-ht us some impor- 
tant lessons. 

Agricultural professorships, in colleges and universities, are 
not sufficient. 

1st. Because lectures of this sort attract but few of the stu- 
dents of the colleges, who are looking forward to professional 
life. Such is certainly the case everywhere in Europe. 

2d. Because the two classes of students who would thus be 
brought together, would have too little sympathy to act in con- 
cert, and as eqmals in the same institution. 

3d. Because without such concert and sympathy, one or other 
of the classes of students would feel no pride in the institution, 
and without such an esprit du corps, it could not prosper. 

4th. Because such professorships, unless numerous, would be 
entirely insufficient to accomplish the object desired." 

Again the Commissioners remark : 

"We learn from European experience, that independent agri- 
cultural institutions are essential to accomplish the object 
sought. 

1st. Because the field is wide enough to require such estab- 
lishments. The principles of agriculture are based upon a 
large part of the physical sciences ; and it requires a good litr 
erary education to understand those sciences. No man can 
understand tlie 2'^''''^^'^Giples of farming who is not more or less 
acquainted v/ith Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Botany, Min- 
eralogy, geology, meterology and geology ; and then the prac- 
tical part I'equircs an extensive acquaintance with various 
branches of mathematics and natural philosophy. There should 
be institutions entirely devoted to a thorough instruction and 
investigation of the subject. 

2d. Because it demands extensive collections of various kinds, 
in order to elucidate the principles of husbandry ; enough, in- 
deed, to belong to any scientific institution, and too many to 

4 



26 House Doo 

form a more subordinate branch of some institution with a dii- 
fercnt object in view. 

3d. Because the number ol' instructors must be so large that 
they could not conveniently form an adjunct to some other in- 
stitution. 

4th. Because the interests of agriculture arc large enough to 
demand an institution definitely consecrated to their promotion. 
No other art is so important, and I may add, no other is so dif- 
ficult to be successfully cultivated ; and therefore every meant? 
possible should be employed to render it assistance. * * ^ 

In Europe they have started institutions with as ample a 
foundation, and as numerous a body of instructors, as we find in 
in most of our American colleges. Nothing short of this will be 
sufficient for our country ; nay, we fancy that at least one such 
superior institution is needed in each of our States. The work 
to be done is too great, the number of teachers too many, and 
the amount of various collections too large, to attempt to at- 
tach an agricnltural school to some other institution ; and thai 
too as only a subordinate branch." 

In another place they state that "essentially the same rea- 
sons, and of greater force, exist for the establishment of agri- 
cultural schools in this conntry, as in Europe," but I cannot 
stop to present the reasons given. 

It cannot be doubted, then, that the farmers of Michigan and 
the Legislature acted in accordance with the experience of Eu- 
ropean institutions, and principles that are almost self-evidontly 
true, in providing for a separate aii<l indepcndont organization 
of the Agricultural College ; and that the prevailing s(Mitimeiit 
in those States wliich are now establishing similar institutions, 
is founded on good and ineontr()vertil)hM-easons. Pulilic senti- 
ment, indeed, coolly and dispassiimatel}- funned, is not very 
likely to be far out of the wa^'. 

But an agricultural college may bo well enougii, and indeed 
quite desirable, did it not cost so much. 1 know it iias cost 
money to purclmse tlie farm. I know it has cost money to erect 
the college building and boarding house, and as they were 



No. 3. 21 

found to be somewhat defective, expense has since been in- 
curred in making- them substantial. I know it has cost money 
to erect dwelling houses, but on which the institution is now 
realizing- rent. I know it cost money to purchase stock and 
implements for the use of a large body of students in Avorking 
the farm. I know it cost money to clear and subdue between 
two and three liundrcd acres of land, most of it heavily tim- 
bered, and that too by the labor of boys, as there was no cleared 
land on which their labor could be bestowed. I know it cost 
money to provide fixtures for the boarding house, and apparatus 
and other means of instruction in the college building. But I 
have yet to learn that any fault has been found with the expen- 
ditures of the past two years, as the outlays above enumerated 
and necessary for putting the institution in operation, were 
made previous to this time. Every body knows that the 
principal part of the expense must be incurred at the opening 
of the college. And you will not fail to remeinber that the in- 
stitution went into operation just at that particular juncture 
when from various causes, lands, stock, wages, every thing- 
could be procured only at extremely high rates. Unfortunately 
it was the most unpropitious time within the past ten years for 
the opening of the college. And in common with private farm- 
ers, until the past year, we have suffered from unfavorable sea- 
sons. During 1859 our crops ^suffered by the frosts to the ex- 
tent probably of $2,000. It is well known that on new lands 
you cannot guard against frosts, or drough.ts, or excess of rains- 
as well as on old lands. 

But the past is gone, and it is the future only with which we 
liave to do. Taking- the Institution as we find it to-day, how 
great a burden will it be to the State ? The College is observ- 
ing the closest economy, and we think we shall be able to show 
that the day is notve.y far distant when it will in great part, 
if not entirely, cease to be a tax on the Treasury. The State 
Board of Education have asked for an appropriation of $25,000 
for the coming two years, which has received the recommenda- 
tion of both Gov. Wisner and Gov. Blair. It will be seen by ai> 



■og ■ House Doc. 

examination i)f items, thai no unnecessary or extravagant de- 
manfl has been made. The amount has been reduced to the 
lowest possible sum. Economy should be studied in public as 
well as iu itiivatc enterprises. AVcrc the amount $30,000 instead 
of $25,000 — that is, §15,000 a year — it would be at the rate of 
two cents to each inhabitant. Do the people of the State 
realize tlie difference this makes in their taxes ? Were the 
capital of the State $300,000,000 according- to the true valuation, 
and by the Keport of the Auditor General it is now nearly 
that amount, $15,000 wduld be a tax of one-twentieth of a mill, 
$100 would be taxed ^ cent; $1,000, 5 cents, and $20,000 would 
sustain a tax of $1. Should the annual appropriations then be 
$lb,0U0, whicli is more than is asked, as the capital of the 
State increases, the rate of taxation will be gradually reduced. 
To uinclccn-tAvcntieths of the peoitle of the State this tax is 
wholly inai)preciablo. You strike it out of the assessment and 
it would not be known. 

But it is wholly uniiecessary for mo to nuikc these state- 
ments lioro befure this company of intelligent Legislators. 
Every thoughtful man knows that the whole expense of the 
State government even is no real burden upon the people; but 
that nearly all tlie taxes collected are appropriated to county, 
town, and school-district purposes, aside from the labor be- 
stowed on the highway. It is not the taxes men [)ay that eat 
up their income, but the hundreds of little tilings whicli arc 
considered trifling at the time, but which, should they be taken 
in gross, would appear enormous. To illustrate my mean- 
ing, take a single item. A tobacconist informs mc that he 
estimates the value of the tobacc<» manufactured in the State 
at $500,000. lint as a largo part of the tobacco consuhicd liere 
is not manufactured in Micliigaji, the consumption must far 
exceed this amount. Should the peo[)le of the State refrain 
from the use of this delicacy for but a single year, and appro- 
priate the savings to such a purpose, how many public institu- 
tutions think you it would build up? It would certainly be a 
long time befure Michigan would be called upon to appropriate 



No. 3. 29 

anything further lor her asyhims or other public works. The 
appropriatio)! aslcccl for tlu; Cvollct^c the coining 3"car, would not 
buy a cigar apiece for one-half of tlu^ people of the State. 

The Legislature tlirec years ago, authorized the College to 
take possession of certain swamp lands situated in the town- 
ships of Dowitt and IJatli, in the county of Clinton, and Lansing 
and .Ueridian, in tlic county' of Ingham, anioiinting in all to a 
little less than TOGO acres. Some 3200 acres of these lands are in 
one continuous mass, and arc situated about 2| miles duo north 
from tlie ('ollego, and are connected with the College Farm by 
other portions of the swamp lands, with tlio exception of J of a 
m.ilo in tJ tree different places, making | of a mile in alh ,'\ road, 
therefore, constructed froi'i tlie College Farm to thig large 
marsh on the town line separating Lansing from Meridian, 
■would be on the lijie of tliese lands, and would also serve for 
drainage of the same. Siiould the Legislature comply with tho 
recDiiuaejulation of Governor "Wisncr, and put tlie fee of these 
lands in tho ofllcers of the College in trust, with the privilege 
of selling tlie scattered portions that are not needed for use, and 
applying so much of the proceeds of the same as may be re- 
quired for drainage of the balance, and vesting the remainder 
as a permanent fund, there is every reason to believe that 
within a few years the State will be almost entirely relieved 
of the support of the College. 

Many of you are av/are that this tract of swamp lands, situ- 
ated just north of the College, is, for the extent of surface it 
covers, one of the most valuable in the State. A small stream 
runs ahmg its western border, and towards which from the cast 
tlierc is a gradual descent over the whole marsh. Arrange- 
ments were made fn' commencing the drainage of the same the 
past summer, and a small sum of money was set apart for that 
purpose ; but tho high water occasioned by the heavy rains, 
rendered it impracticable without increased expense. On this 
tract of a little more than SuOO acres, there are some 2000 acres 
of open marsh, on which no timber is standing, which only 
needs to be intersected with drains to be as dry and smooth as 



30 ' House Doc. 

any meadow in the State. Then by seeding -with Timothy and 
Red-top, witliout the hibor of ploughing- or harrowing even, the 
wild grass becomes gradually and rapidly eradicated, and a 
beautiful and most productive meadow is formed. The surface 
settles and becomes compact, so that a mowing macliiue may 
be used as conveniently as on our best upland meadows. This 
large marsh can be drained at a trifling expense ; with less 
money than would probably be required to fence the same 
amount of land ; while the ditches thus opened would also 
serve to a great extent in place of fences, so far as required. 
Thus, in a very few years at a trivial cost, an exceedingly valu- 
able meadow will be secured, which will bring a large revenue 
to the College. Lands in the same vicinity which have been 
thus treated, are now valued at $50 per acre. On the outskirts 
of this marsh as a part of the same tract, are several hundred 
acres of the finest quality of upland. 

That the resources of this tract will be thorouglily hus- 
banded and be made speedily available, it is only necessary for 
me to state that it will be under the direct supervision of Mr. 
James Bayley, the present Superintendent of the College Farm, 
who is known to be one of the most practical and successful 
farmers in the State. 

Agriculturists are now turning their attention more that ever 
before to the raising of stock. The fact is beginning to be re- 
alized that the largest profits can be secured only by preserving 
the fertility of the soil ; and that in no other way can this fer- 
tility be so economically preserved as by means of stock-hus- 
bandry. It is plain to every thinking farmer, that there is not 
half the cxhausti(m of soil in raising stock as in an exclusively 
grain husbandry, provided due care is exercised in the pre- 
servation of the manures on the farm. To this department of 
farming must the Colli;ge give special attention, both for the 
profit pecuniarily, and the varied instruction which can thus b« 
imparted to llie students pursuing their professional studies 
here, as well as for experiments for the benefitnof lli<" people of 
the State. 



No. 3. 31 

It was a very judicious and far-seeing measure of the Legis- 
lature of 1858, in reserving these lands from sale for the use of 
the college ; and if now secured to it by the legislation that is 
tsked, there can be no doubt but that the principal part of the 
current expenses of the Institution may in a few years be de- 
frayed from this source. 

[t will be remembered that two years ago a bill passed both 
houses of Congress donating to the States for the purpose of 
establishing and endowing agricultural colleges, lands to the 
amount of 20,000 acres for each member of Congress according 
to the ratio as should be decided by the census of 1860 ; but 
this bill failed to receive the signature of the President of the 
United States. Had this become a law, Michigan would proba- 
bly have received 160,000 acres of land, which in time would 
have furnished an ainple endowment. May we not reasonably 
hope that this policy, or one similar to it, will yet be carried 
)ut by the general government. ' Grants of lands have hereto- 
fore been made to the States for the endowment of universities, 
including- not only the arts, sciences and literature, but also the 
professional departments of law and medicine. Can any valid 
ground, therefore, be urged against the endowment of agricul- 
tural colleges from the same source, which are designed to 
give instruction in the principles of that department of business 
which monopolizes more of time and capital than all other 
pursuits combined ? 

There is nothing more reasonable than the desire to under- 
•^tand the principles involved in our chosen pursuits. We cer- 
tianly are not automatons ; we have intellectual capacities, and 
it is a leading purpose of nature to minister to the wants of this 
thinking being. The farmer is dwelling in a museum c»f won- 
ders ; and ten thousand forms of beauty too delicate for the un- 
instructed eye seek to charm the soul. There is here enough 
for the mind to feast upon forever. The commonest tilings 
about us are full of lessons of Avisdom. This volume of nature 
is written all over with the most glowing truths. It is, indeed, 
the embodiment of God's great thoughts ; a material working 



32 ' House Doc. 

out of his plans ; an exhibit of that endless fertility of mind 
which holoiHjs only to Deity. Shall we not open this volume of 
truth to the busy world ? Shall wo not introduce the young 
who are to labor amid these silent but omnipotent forces, to the 
aesociations which surround them ? Indeed, if there be any edu- 
cational arguments in favor of any class of our citizens, do tliey 
not empliatically fipply here ? But passing by all educational 
Cjnsidcralions in favor of such an institution, considerations of 
immense importance when we take into account the adaptation 
of these truths of nature to the development of the mind, and 
the great multitude of men who from the labor of the farm are 
thrown within their reach, and the vast amount of talent that 
might thus be developed to re-act on the Avorld in its various 
channels of progress ; passing by these all, we say, let us ask 
the question, as every Yankee is sure to do, will it pay pecuni- 
arily ? 

In the I'atent Office Report of 184T appears the following re- 
mark : " It is a question worthy the attention of agriculturists 
and political economists, whether there was not absolutely more 
wealth invested in our soil, in fertilizing matter, at the time 
Columbus discovered America, than there is above the surface 
in improvements and investments of every kind." There is no 
one subject to-day that so earnestly demands the attention of 
the American people, as the gradual and alarming exhaustion 
of our soils. Every consideration requires that> this be arrested. 
The 3,000,000 acres of improved lands in the State certainly 
yield $15,000,000 to ^ 20,000,000 less of products annually than 
they ought to do. Why is there this fearful Avaste ? It can 
only be-ascribed to improper management. How is this evil to 
be corrected ? It can only be done by the great mass of the 
people ac(i[uiriug a better knowledge of the theoretical and 
practical principles of Agriculture. By what means may this 
knowledge be acquired ? The great school of practical Agri- 
culture is and always must be the farm. It is almost impossi- 
ble that a mere theorist should ever succeed. The whole vwdus 
operandi of Agriculture can be learned only by experience. 



No. 3. 33 

The practical sense and shrewd discrimination gained by a long- 
familiarity with the every day details of the farm, are indispen- 
sable to success. But an art so thoroughly interwoven with the 
great kingdom of nature, an art which is never beyond the 
reach of the myriad forces of the material world, also pre-emi- 
nently demands close discriminating thought, and the widest 
range of study and research. You all know that the best farm- 
ers are those that think the most, and gain the most thoroughly 
practical knowledge of the philosophy of things. 

Our agricultural associations may accomplish much good for 
the farming interests ; and also our agricultural press, when 
conducted by sound, experienced farmers. But it is evident 
these cannot accomplish the whole work. That which has 
seemed to offer the highest assurances of success in supplying 
this great want are agricultural schools. This is the general 
sentiment of Europe, and many of their official reports show re- 
markable effects on the improvement of agriculture in the dis- 
tricts where these schools arc located. 

But as I have already presented some thoughts on this sub- 
ject, I shall not dwell on it here. And yet if so far as agricul- 
ture is concerned, there be no profit in studying its principles ; 
if the struggles of the mind in its search here for truth, will fail 
in time to reap their reward ; if the power of thought in this 
domain of God's works was given us for no pm-pose, then 
certainly this is a lamentable exception to his otherwise uni- 
versal laws. We have then found one field where truth was 
not made for the mind, and mind is not fitted to seize hold upon 
the truth, and turn it to useful purposes. Then surely we have 
found a mighty chasm in the plans of Deity ; Ave have found the 
separate parts of his creation warring against each other. But 
this cannot be. Mistakes may be committed, but the truth will 
ultimately find the light. Arouse the whole farming commu- 
nity to thought and study. Let them determine the wl)y and 
wherefore of every pmcess. Let them look into tlio philosophy 
of nature, and understand those sublime laws which are build- 
ing up the vegetable and animal kingdoms. Let them form an 
' 5 ■ ■ ' ' ■ 



34 House Doc. 

intimate acquaintance with those forces which constitute the 
life of tlieir art, and good will result, or else reason was given 
lis in vain. 

The beneficial effects of this union of scientific researches 
and practical agriculture on the products of the State, must 
necessarily be gradual and silent. But these silent results are 
sometimes the most momentous. Should tlie increased in- 
terest thus excited in the philosophy of agriculture but 
partially restore our lands to their natural fertility, the ag- 
gregate benefit might still be greater than the whole expense of 
the College. Should it in time increase the products of our im- 
proved lands on an average not more than one dollar per acre, 
upon the 3,000,000 acres of cultivated lands, it would amount 
to $3,000,000. In 1854 the average yield of wheat in this State 
was little less than 14 bushels per acre. This is certainly far 
below the natural capabilities of our soil. And the history of 
American agriculture has been that the yield per acre of our 
staple crops has gradually been growing less. 

In 1840 the yield of wheat in the Now England States was 
2,014,111 bushels. In 1850 it was 1,090,132 bushels. The 
yield of potatoes in 1840 was 35,180,500 bushels. In 1850 it 
was 19,418,191 bushels, while in most of these States stock- 
raising has gradually assumed less importance. In the State 
of New York in 1825 there were 1,160,901 acres under improve- 
ment. In 1855 it had increased to 26,158,182 acres, yet tlie 
number of sheep had decreased nearly 300,000, and within five 
years the decrease had been nearly 50 per cent. ; and the num- 
ber of horses, cows and swine had decreased over 15 per cent. 
In 1845 the yield of wheat in the same State was 13,391,110 bush- 
els. In 1851 it was only 6,000,000 bushels. In 1844 the average 
yield of corn was 24.15 bushels. In 1854 it was only 21.03 
bushels. It is estimated by competent authority that 
the annual loss from want of skill in Massachasetts in 
the -cereal grains is $2,000,000, and in stock, dairy, &c., $16,- 
000,000. Thus we might continue, piling up facts without 
number from every part of the Union, showing the decreasing 



No. 3. 36 

fertility of American soils. It is calculated from reliable 
sources that the loss of capital in the United States from the de- 
pleted condition of our soils amounts to more than $166,000,- 
000 every year. Is this not a prodigal waste ? 

It is easy to see towards what goal we have been tending. 
We must by some means arrest this downward march, or we 
shall seriously impair our industrial and political prosperity. 
We must then consent to take a far less prominent position 
among the nations of the earth than is otherwise within our 
reach. This is not a question that should claim the attention 
of tlie farmer simply ; it should claim the attention of the 
statesman ; it should claim the attention of every one who 
would give prominence to the free institutions of America. 
Can too much be done to stop the fearful impoverishment of our 
natural wealth ? Is it not worth our while to make this subject 
our special study ? Is it not worth our while to seek to turn 
the best talent of the country towards this pursuit ? Is it not 
worth our while to bend far more of our efforts to the solution 
of the great problems of agriculture, and the dissemination of 
the results of practical and scientific inquiries among the mass 
of the people ? In the single item of manures, I have no doubt 
there are hundreds of thousands of dollars, and perhaps mil- 
lions, wasted every year in Michigan, from ignorance of their 
composition and properties, and the best and Biost economical 
methods of preservation. Is there not a practical field open 
for instruction ? 

It was not a vain remark of the Father of his Country, that 
he "knew of no pursuit in which more real or important good 
could be rendered to a country, than by the improvement of its 
agriculture ;" and I doubt not this sentiment finds a warm 
response|in the hearts of the farmers of Michigan. 



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